The story behind the rare Australia postal history cover in 1930

THIS IS THE SAMPLE OF dR iWAN cd-ROM :THE STORY BEHIND THE RARE POSTAL USED COVER POSTAL HISTORY:”

THE COMPLETE CD EXIST,SPECIAL FOR POSTAL HISTORY COLLECTORS BUT ONLEY FOR PREMIUM MEMBER PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA COMMENT TO GET THE COLPLETE CD-ROM

1930 Lord Howe Island Provisional Manuscript Overprint – on Cover: In over 25 years of dealing I have never owned or offered one of these famous items. The Postmaster on tiny LHI had a shortage of 2d stamps when the latter rate increased at short notice in late July 1930 to 2d. He telegrammed Sydney GPO to ask what to do, and was advised by telegram to : “use 1½d stamps with endorsement – 2d Paid PM LHI”.

So the PM took his entire stock of 260 Sturt 1½d commemoratives, (SG #117) and wrote in black ink pen across each one as instructed, and went ahead and used them up on mail. At this time only an average 80 mail articles a month left the remote island, which is 702 km north east of Sydney, and 1000 km SW of Norfolk Island. The stamp is tied by “Lord Howe Island OC 3 : 1930 N.S.W” with an additional strike alongside. By the rough strikes of the cancels and the address, this cover appears to be non-philatelic.

This course is NOT what Sydney GPO had envisaged – they assumed he would write the endorsement on the cover to one side, and AWAY from the stamps, but the Telegram was explicit ….. albeit ambiguous.

The PMG Department HQ in Melbourne was unaware of these provisional “overprints” for some months, which had franked LHI outward mail in August, September and early October. When they discovered it, they over-rode the earlier authority, but the PM Mr Fenton was neither officially criticised or reprimanded at any time, as he had acted in good faith. This is a genuine commercial cover to the Burns Philp Trading Company. Dr Bill Mayo’s LHI philatelic book states most of the few recorded covers are addressed locally to LHI.

The very few covers I have seen illustrated in sale cats looks ratty and/or toned. This one is quite PRISTINE for 77 years old – as you can see. SG and ACSC have always listed and priced this rare provisional. SG says it is Cat £650 mint or used = $A1,625. Any commercial COVER used in this era is rare – franked with any issue.

SG Says on cover prices for SG 117-125 are “From 10 x ” so this one is theoretically rated “From $A16,250”. A lovely item, in condition that would delight even the MOST fastidious of buyers.